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Teach Your Children Well

So many children groan when they hear their parents mention a family devotional or when their parents speak of a family prayer time. Because of this, many parents just give up on even having them. But there is some hope. As Moses prepares the children of Israel to enter the Promised Land, he gives them this command:

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

This incredibly memorable command, also known as the Shema, has guided people of faith for thousands of years. The Lord your God is one. He is to be loved with all of you: your heart, your soul, and with all of your might. However, these words are not just for the individual. They are to be taught and passed onto future generations. Your children are to know that their God is Lord and one. He is not satisfied with segments of their life (or yours). He demands all of those that worship Him. He demands their person, their mind, and every action.

Teaching our children is incredibly challenging, and many parents express to me their frustration or sense of failure in instructing their kids. In fact, some parents have even been so honest as to tell me that is why they want programs for their children at church because they feel they are not doing a good job at home. When we think about the amount of time parents have with their children versus the amount of time the church has, it’s astonishing. Yes, churches should aid parents in teaching their children, but parents have the first and foremost responsibly, especially as seen in Deuteronomy 6…and parents have a ton of more time with their kids (as it should be).

I can’t tell you how many parents have given up on the concept of family devotions after only one or two tries. Sadly, instead of trying a different model or pushing through, many families just give up. There is massive criticism of what those in political or educational power are trying to teach children, but so often, parents quit even trying to teach their kids in the faith. Without purposeful instruction, that leaves teaching about Jesus, the Gospel, the Bible, and pretty much everything else related to Christianity to times of correction. Obviously, there are lessons in correction, but can you imagine only learning about driving a car when the police officer gives you a ticket? Learning before hand sure would be helpful.

So, how can families grow in instructing and teaching their children about Jesus and their faith?

Reggie Joiner in his book “Think Orange” makes some fascinating observations about how these truths can best be communicated and related to children. He emphasizes that there are teaching patterns within Deuteronomy 6 that we can incorporate into our families to help them know God and know Him better. He points out that Moses emphasizes 4 teaching time in Deuteronomy 6:

When you sit at home.

When you walk along the road.

When you lie down.

When you get up.

Applying those to our day, Joiner finds 4 incredible opportunities each day to speak of God. They are:

Eating meals together (sitting at home).

Walking or traveling together (when you walk along the road).

Tucking children into bed (when you lie down).

Getting up in the morning (when you get up).

What makes each of these times unique is that the parent can communicate differently, teach under a different role, and aim for a different goal each time.

For example, meal times offer the chance for a formal discussion where the parent is a teacher establishing values.

Drive times offer informal conversations where the parent is a friend helping their child interpret life.

Bed time offers intimate conversation where the parent can be a counselor building intimacy.

Morning time offers encouraging words from a parent/coach who is hoping to instill purpose.

If parents take advantage of each of these opportunities, instructing their children becomes less formal and less forced. The pressure is off so to say. In fact, the biggest adjustment will come on the part of the parent instead of the child. The parent has to make a concerted effort to take advantage of opportunities instead of rushing through a meal, shooing their kids to bed, entertaining them in the car, or rushing them to school.

If you give up on teaching your children, someone or something is going to take your place. Sometimes it is the helpful instruction of the church, and sometimes it is the media, politicians, schools, friends, or whatever. One way or the other, children will be instructed. Owning Deuteronomy 6 means looking for and being prepared for practical and advantageous opportunities to tell your kids about Jesus.

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I don’t know If I said it already but …Hey good stuff…keep up the good work! 🙂 I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,)

Amen, Gordon! The other blessing about this model of doing devotions all through the day is that prayer and worship become woven into the fabric of the whole day and not just as a “set aside” time.
Pray without ceasing….

Who is this?

I'm the husband of an awesome wife (Amy) and father of 3 incredible girls (Meredith, Landry, and Emma). I'm also the pastor of Evident Grace Fellowship in Spotsylvania, VA. I like to bike, run, read, and write. The rest...will show up here eventually.